The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

The Meadows School of the Arts, formally established in 1969 at SMU in Dallas, has achieved prominence as one of the foremost arts education institutions in the United States. Learn more about SMU Meadows

Meadows serves the public as a significant cultural center by presenting more than 400 events annually for the Dallas community and surrounding region. Read more about upcoming events and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, "This Week at Meadows".

News and Events

Xi Wang, assistant professor of composition and theory at SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, is one of two national recipients of the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The $15,000 award is presented annually to “two composers of exceptional gifts.” Xi Wang will receive the award at the academy’s annual ceremony in May in New York City.

Founded in 1898, the academy honors more than 50 composers, artists, architects and writers every year with cash awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. The Ives Fellowship was established by Harmony Ives, widow of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Charles Ives; she bequeathed the royalties from her husband’s music to the academy to be used for scholarships for young composers. Six scholarships of $7,500 and two fellowships of $15,000 are given annually. Composers do not apply directly for the awards and have no idea they are even under consideration. Instead, they are nominated by a member of the academy, then voted on by a select committee.

“I am thankful and honored to receive this prestigious fellowship,” said Xi Wang. “I came to the U.S. as a graduate student 10 years ago, with two suitcases, my embarrassing English and a dream. My life experience has given me a firm belief in the value of diligent work. I am so thankful for all the support and encouragement I have received from my mentors, colleagues and friends. And I am very proud to be part of the Meadows School of the Arts at SMU.”

“Xi Wang is a wonderful composer and also a terrific teacher,” said José Bowen, dean of the Meadows School. “She thoroughly deserves this award and we could not be more pleased for her. It is significant to have a rising star like Wang at SMU, but it is also important for Dallas. She is doing excellent work with local organizations, who are delighted for the opportunity to collaborate with a composer of her caliber, and her increasing national and international recognition also reflects well on both the University and our city.”

Xi Wang earned a B.M. in composition from Shanghai Conservatory in China, M.M. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and D.M.A. from Cornell University. For more information about Xi Wang and her music, visit www.XiWangComposer.com.